Accessibility at YPT

Young People’s Theatre (YPT) endeavours to be accessible to all the people it serves. At YPT, we believe that everyone should have equal access to our productions, programs and employment opportunities, and that our diverse community should be reflected in all that we do. YPT strives to identify and remove barriers to access in the following ways:

Interpreted Performances

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted Performances are specifically designed to provide access to YPT shows for audience members who are Deaf, deafened or hard-of-hearing. Shadow Interpreted performances feature interpreters who shadow the actors, following them onstage while using ASL. Since the interpreters are integrated into the show, this allows the audience to more easily follow both the sign language and the interpreters.

Audio Described Performances

Audio Described Performances are specifically designed to provide access for audience members who are blind or partially sighted. These performances feature professional live audio description, delivered through an earpiece and a small receiver. Audio description outlines the key visual elements onstage, including relevant information about the set pieces, costumes and non-verbal action.

Relaxed Performances

Relaxed Performances are well-suited to all young audiences and have been established to welcome people who will benefit from a more relaxed performance environment, including people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They can also be a good introductory experience for first-time theatregoers. The performance itself is unchanged, but there is a more relaxed attitude to noise and movement. The house lights in the theatre are also adjusted, so that it is not quite as dark as usual. There are also additional supports before and during the show including a designated relief area that can be used throughout your visit to take a break or watch the performance on video.

As part of this initiative, YPT has created a video as well as a Visual Guide that provide a detailed description of what it’s like to visit the theatre. Patrons often find it helpful to review these with the young people they are bringing, prior to attending a performance.

Meet the Theatre

Meet the Theatre is for anyone who would benefit from an introduction to YPT, prior to attending a performance. It is particularly well-suited for those planning to attend one of our Relaxed Performances.

For audience members who might be nervous about attending theatre (especially first-time theatre-goers), an advance visit to YPT can help make the performance experience more comfortable and engaging. Our Meet the Theatre events, led by staff from our Education & Participation Department, include a behind-the-scenes tour to explore specific technical elements (sound, lights, costumes, set pieces and props).

Wheelchair Accessibility and Mobility

A wheelchair ramp is located just east of the main entrance of Young People’s Theatre at 165 Front Street East. YPT’s Mainstage accommodates up to four patrons with full-sized wheelchairs, and this ground floor auditorium is accessed via the backstage area. The Studio Theatre on our third floor accommodates up to two patrons with full-sized wheelchairs, and is accessed via an elevator taking patrons to the rear entrance of the auditorium.

It is recommended that patrons using mobility devices call ahead to book tickets and make arrangements for their visit. Ideally, patrons using mobility devices should arrive at least 20-30 minutes before the performance. Upon check-in at the Box Office, patrons are escorted into the performance venue via the backstage area by a YPT staff member. A theatre usher will direct patrons to a wheelchair-accessible washroom as necessary and escort them back out to the lobby at the end of the performance.

YPT encourages the use of personal assistive devices such as Patron-Owned Electrical Equipment and Mobility Devices whenever necessary or possible in order to improve access to YPT programs and services. Please call 416.862.2222 x2 for more information and to make arrangements.

Service Animals

YPT acknowledges the vital relationship and dependency that exists between a person with disabilities and their service animal. Examples of service animals include dogs used by people who are blind, hearing-alert animals for people who are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing, and animals trained to alert an individual to an oncoming seizure and lead them to safety. Service animals are welcome at YPT. Please inform the box office when booking show tickets, an activity, or a program to ensure suitable arrangements are made.

Support Persons

A person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to have that person escort them on our premises. Support persons will receive a complimentary ticket to our performances. Additionally, there is no fee for support persons attending any of our Education & Participation programs.

Assistive Listening Devices

Listening devices (headphones) are available on loan for any YPT production on a first-come-first-served basis. To reserve, please contact the box office at 416.862.2222 or via email at boxoffice@youngpeoplestheatre.ca at least 24 hours prior to the event. You may also speak to our Box Office staff on arrival.

Subsidized Tickets

YPT endeavours to make its programming financially accessible by offering the following initiatives:

Family Ticket Subsidies

SuperSaver Weekend Seating: a limited number of Mezzanine seats are available for each Mainstage family/weekend performance at the special price of just $10 each. Please note that the view may be partially obstructed depending on the set design of the play and the height of the individual attending the performance.

First Saturday Savings: All tickets $15 each. This special price applies to the first Saturday performance of selected Mainstage productions.

Pay-What-You-Can (PWYC) Performances: YPT has a minimum of one PWYC performance for each Family/weekend production we offer in the season. PWYC tickets are available in person at the Box Office from 10:00 am on the day of the performance only (maximum four tickets per person; suggested contribution $10 each; cash only please). Please call the Box Office at 416.862.2222 x2 for details or visit the performance calendars posted on the show pages of our website for specific First Saturday Savings and PWYC performance dates and times.

School Group Subsidies

Wish List: The Wish List offers a limited number of discounted tickets to qualifying schools for weekday performances just prior to the start of the run of a show. Schools submitting a completed Wish List form will be contacted approximately three weeks before their requested show dates and informed of the price and availability (discounts and availability vary per show). Click hereto download the Wish List.

Arts Impact: YPT’s Arts Impact program provides an opportunity for students to experience weekday school performances and companion workshops at a highly subsidized rate. Arts Impact packages are offered to specific schools, selected in consultation with the Arts Departments at the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board. Each package includes a pre-show workshop and up to 60 tickets to a performance, followed by a Q&A with the cast and a post-show workshop. The pre- and post-show workshops guide students through a series of drama exercises as a way to more deeply explore show themes. They are designed to enhance students’ theatre-going experience. To inquire if your school is eligible for Arts Impact, click here.

Drama School

Limited bursaries are available for low-income families in all of YPT’s Drama School programs. More information can be found here.

Employment

Young People’s Theatre is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that strongly supports and values diversity and fosters an equitable and inclusive work environment which includes accommodation. Applications from all qualified candidates are welcome, and people with disabilities and individuals from equity-seeking groups are encouraged to apply. Employment opportunities can be found here.

General Facility Information

YPT is sensitive to allergy-related concerns and endeavours to maintain a nut-free environment.

Diaper-changing stations are located in the second floor washrooms.

A limited number of booster seats are available. Please speak to a theatre usher on arrival if you wish to make use of them.

Children under one year of age do not require a ticket but must sit on their caregiver’s lap. Any child over the age of one must have a ticket to ensure accurate numbers for fire and safety purposes.

Strollers are not permitted in the auditoriums, however they can be left in the main lobby area as necessary.

The auditoriums are generally open and available for seating 30 minutes prior to show time. Patrons arriving late, and those returning to their seats after the show has begun, will be seated during a suitable break in the performance at the discretion of management.